Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers Archives - School News Network

‘I want to do that’

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The encouragement of co-workers helped her discover Kent ISD adult education and its career and technical ed programs...

Like Wonder Woman, ‘I gotta save the world!’

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

After five years serving students and staff as a social worker at Zinser Elementary, Brooke Davis, is new director of diversity, equity and mental health services...

Newcomer paves her way in biology, business

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

This Wyoming High School senior has overcome language barriers and other obstacles of succeeding in the U.S. and now is choosing from among major college scholarship offers...

With his eye on the goal

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Godwin’s Ru’Quan Buckley was not going to let anything -- including a pandemic -- stop him from achieving his goal...

Poet uses words to empower others, inspire change

Meet the Future Alexis Stark

Senior Thang Lian’s award-winning poetry tells his story. His activism shows his passion for his home country and making a difference...

Sports standout returns to oversee student athletes

Kelloggsville Phil de Haan

It’s a homecoming for new Kelloggsville Athletic Director Carl Roscoe II...

‘I know a lot has changed … but kids haven’t’

Byron Center Erin Albanese

After four years as principal at West Middle School, Wierzbicki looks forward to his new role at the central office...

A fun classroom, by design

Kentwood Erin Albanese

This fifth-grade teacher, a finalist for the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, loves to get her students involved in STEM projects using design thinking...

No blueprints required for this handy problem-solver

Meet the Future Charles Honey

Whether helping rebuild a car’s front end or custom-making a cabinet for the school’s front office, this high school senior has a special talent for coming up with designs and putting them together...

‘I’ve always believed in justice’

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

Committed to social justice and anti-racism advocacy, eighth-grader Ari James is working to be an agent of change in her school, community and state...

‘A light in a dark year’

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema

A retired teacher finds a way to continue to impact young learners, even in a year when she cannot come inside the building...

New director: enthusiasm of young learners is inspiring

Byron Center Erin Albanese

Meet Your Administrator: Cindy Viveen, the new Byron Center Early Childhood Center Director...

The sky’s the limit (or is it?) for this accomplished model builder

Meet the Future Erin Albanese

Creative, innovative, imaginative … Many of today’s students are all that and more in a vast variety of interest areas. This series features students with exceptional and unusual gifts...

‘Soul of Northview’ Says Students Are the Reward

East Grand Rapids Charles Honey

Ted Burba, a longtime and beloved teacher for Northview Public Schools who retired this fall, died early this week after a long illness. In tribute to his lasting legacy, School News Network republishes this profile of Mr. Burba that originally ran in 2016 to honor his 50th year of teaching...

Filmmaker, engineer, future rocket-builder: it’s all about creativity

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema

Xiangyu Chen says his twin passions -- filmmaking and all things science, technology, engineering and math-related -- draw upon similar principles...

Career education expert takes on new Kent ISD assistant superintendent position

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Amid COVID-19, Sue Gardner took on a brand new role as Kent ISD assistant superintendent helping to administer and support the existing high school programs and help start new ones...